Former Notre Dame linebacker Te'von Coney hopes to be positive influence for kids in JJC

SOUTH BEND — Former University of Notre Dame linebacker Te'von Coney sat in front of several young faces Monday afternoon that he related to. Coney, 21, was in the gym of the St. Joseph County Juvenile Justice Center speaking to a group of detained young men and women to share his story and tell them it isn't too late for them to change their lives.

"I'm not telling you it will be easy," Coney said, "but it will be worth it."

Coney is in town to work out for NFL personnel Wednesday at Notre Dame's Pro Day. He led the 12-1 Irish with 123 tackles last season. He also led the team in tackles (116) in 2017 despite starting only seven games. Coney graduated from the university in three years with a degree in philosophy.

But while back in South Bend this week, he wanted to use some of his time to meet with juveniles in the JJC to attempt to be a positive influence. Several years ago, Coney told the group, he wasn't the same person. He said he had too many distractions and always had a mentality that he had to be tough.

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